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Children at the bedside: Preparing children for the death of someone close to them
Help children face loss with honesty, clarity, and care—when presence matters most.
Supporting children and youth who are experiencing the dying of someone close to them is a challenging experience across all disciplines. Even for the most skilled professional can struggle with preparing children for death. There is a growing body of research encouraging authenticity, honesty, and inclusion of children in the experience of illness and death. Yet too often, they remain excluded from this process. Leading to feelings of alienation and missed opportunities for connection and growth. In our efforts to protect them, we may unintentionally unplug children from relationships—both prematurely and unnaturally.
This training focuses on preparing children for death by using real-life and real-death narratives to explore practical strategies that support children and youth facing the impending loss of someone in their lives.
Learning objectives:
- The roots of our societal discomfort with the topic of children and death.
- Myths and misconceptions that create barriers to including children at the bedside of someone who is dying.
- Practical strategies and creative approaches for preparing children for a death, including a death through medical assistance in dying (MAID).
- Literary, web, and local resources for supporting children who are experiencing the dying of someone close to them.
Gain the insight and tools needed to help children and youth navigate the dying process with openness and resilience. You’ll explore the societal beliefs that often exclude children from end-of-life experiences. Learn to dispel harmful myths. Develop practical strategies for involving children—including in cases of medically assisted death. Leave equipped with creative approaches and supportive resources to guide young people through one of life’s most difficult realities—with compassion and confidence. Reserve your spot now!
Please note: This webinar is module 1 of the Children’s grief and bereavement certificate program; however, participants can also register for it as a stand-alone training to enhance their skills in supporting grieving children and families.
